Inspiring! Somehow I missed out on much of the joy and wonder of poetry when I read English Literature at university over 40 years ago. These spells in the library are helping me catch up at last! Thank you so much.
Ha! During the lockdown, volumes of poetry began to come out of the second row on my shelves. It's not a joke, it's the magic of the books. We had a few good poets in Poland :)
Just following up on "the magic hand of chance," I picked up a junk metal watch band a coupla years ago just to mess around with it. It has been lying around. Bought a used watch last week and its hard-to-replace band was broken beyond repair. The previous junk watch band from years ago fit perfectly. I figure the chances of that were slim. Like magic. Thought I'd share that with you. Cheers.
Thanks so much for this-much needed poetry for me today after a difficult day at work. :) I am so happy that you and the poets help us to keep asking the big questions and exploring what it means to be living. It’s easy to be overcome with daily cares so I appreciate this and all of your other spells in the library!
We had little talks like this in classes when I was in college for Literature. I feel like you're our guest professor when you do these videos :) love it I hope u never stop!
I wrote a paper on this sonnet. I love how Keats anxiously repeats the word "before" and almost dissolves into the nothingness of thought in this sonnet. Great stuff!
I've been reading Keats for fifty years and I never took enough time with this sonnet, I feel I have been neglectful on this one. So I am thankful you took the time to bring it to us again. I am reading a book called Posthumous Keats and this sonnet of his seems like it is a commentary on his entire life.
the very notion of "the love of books" presumes, it seems to me, two prior questions: the meaning of book and the meaning of love; just as philosophy calls for the meaning of love and the meaning of wisdom
Being an amateur classical and jazz pianist, I tend to reference dates based on the musicians living during this time. Keats was born shortly after the death of Mozart, lived during the time of Beethoven, and died when Chopin was coming into adolescence. I wonder what Keats would have thought of jazz greats Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane, Phil Woods, Charlie Parker, etc. :)
I thought, might it not be a very nice thing to hear your thoughts on reflections on Richard De Bury's 'The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard De Bury'
Dear Mr. Guite, did Keats worry his poetry would be forgotten after his death ? Was this the point of the sonnet ? Many thanks for sharing your love of poetry and helping us gain your perspectives on it. Kind regards, S.
I really don’t mean to be morbid but I am curious as to what will happen to your beautiful books and pipes when your time comes, and I only ask because I had to go through it when my Parents passed.
yes I do! I'll have to get it out for one of these videos but its more a private read as the print would be too small to show in the video = but I could show people the lovely binding!
